The 4th graders from Concord School are "Hooked" on Baby Brookies at Jordan River NFH

Mancelona Public Schools Choose Success program, together with Jordan River National Fish Hatchery (NFH) have been forging partnerships with many organizations and private citizen volunteers to deliver programs designed to get students out of doors and into nature.  As part of the program the students from Mancelona Elementary and Middle School have been raising brook trout at the hatchery.  The newest partner Concord Montessori and Community School has also become fully engaged in the program.  Concord has revised its educational philosophy to emphasize outdoor education and environmental studies.  In October the fourth graders and fifth graders from Mr. Eric Shupbach’s Outdoor Education Class, helped staff with an inventory of the Baby Brookies, as well as carry out some length and weight measurements, on their fish. Then the students toured the hatchery grounds and benefited from some unstructured exploration. The brook trout will be cared for by the students until the fish are ready (catch able sized) to be stocked for children’s fishing events.   While tending to the trout during their visits to the hatchery over the coming years, the students will learn about brook trout biology and ecology, fish culture and hatchery operations.  Curriculum components such as math, science, social studies are covered during their visits.  If you are interested in volunteering for any of the Imaginature activities or just want to know more about this exciting new program please contact Tim Smigielski at Jordan River NFH at 231-584-2461.